Joystick controller for cellular telephone

Abstract

A joystick that is retractable within a cellular telephone includes a multi-directional input device, and a shaft extending up from the multi-directional input device. The multi-directional input device is adapted to read a direction in which the shaft pushed. A handle is disposed over the shaft, wherein the handle is selectable between a retracted position and an extended position. A loudspeaker may be included within the handle.

1 . A retractable joystick, comprising: 
 a multi-directional input device;    a shaft extending upwardly from the multi-directional input device, the multi-directional input device adapted to read at least one direction in which the shaft pushed; and    a handle disposed over the shaft, wherein the handle is selectable between a retracted position and an extended position.    
   
   
       2 . The joystick of  claim 1 , further comprising a base fixedly disposed on the shaft, the handle being slidable on the base.  
   
   
       3 . The joystick of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is selectable between an extended position and a retracted position by rotating the handle relative to the base.  
   
   
       4 . The joystick of  claim 3 , wherein the handle includes sliding lips extending inward, the base includes locking struts extending outward, and wherein the sliding lips engage the locking struts in the extended position.  
   
   
       5 . The joystick of  claim 4 , wherein the sliding lips are on top of the locking struts when the handle is in the extended position.  
   
   
       6 . The joystick of  claim 4 , wherein the sliding lips are disposed under the locking struts when the handle is in the retracted position.  
   
   
       7 . The joystick of  claim 4 , wherein the base includes passageways between the locking struts.  
   
   
       8 . The joystick of  claim 2 , wherein the base includes a circumferential slot and a spring disposed in the circumferential slot.  
   
   
       9 . The joystick of  claim 1 , the handle further including a skirt extending outward.  
   
   
       10 . The joystick of  claim 9 , wherein the skirt has a constant radius of curvature.  
   
   
       11 . The joystick of  claim 1 , the handle further including a top surface with a depression.  
   
   
       12 . The joystick of  claim 1 , further comprising a speaker disposed within the handle.  
   
   
       13 . A method of retracting a joystick, including: 
 rotating a handle in an extended position relative to a shaft of a multi-directional input device;    pushing the handle down to a retracted position relative to the shaft; and    rotating the handle relative to the shaft to maintain the handle in the down position.    
   
   
       14 . A cellular telephone with a retractable joystick, comprising: 
 a housing for electronic components;    a multi-directional input device fixedly disposed within the housing;    a shaft extending up from the multi-directional input device, the multi-directional input device adapted to read at least one direction in which the shaft is pushed; and    a handle disposed over the shaft, wherein the handle is selectable between an extended position and a retracted position.    
   
   
       15 . The cellular telephone of  claim 14 , further comprising a base fixedly disposed on the shaft, the handle being slidable on the base.  
   
   
       16 . The cellular telephone of  claim 15 , wherein the base includes a circumferential slot and a spring disposed in the circumferential slot.  
   
   
       17 . The cellular telephone of  claim 15 , wherein the handle is selectable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the base by rotating the handle relative to the base.  
   
   
       18 . The cellular telephone of  claim 17 , wherein the handle includes sliding lips extending inward, the base includes locking struts extending outward, and the sliding lips overlap the locking struts.  
   
   
       19 . The cellular telephone of  claim 17 , wherein the sliding lips are on top of the locking struts when the handle is in the up position.  
   
   
       20 . The cellular telephone of  claim 18 , wherein the sliding lips are under the locking struts when the handle is in the down position.  
   
   
       21 . The cellular telephone of  claim 18 , wherein the base includes passageways between the locking struts.  
   
   
       22 . The cellular telephone of  claim 14 , wherein the handle further includes a skirt extending outward.  
   
   
       23 . The cellular telephone of  claim 22 , wherein the skirt has a constant radius of curvature.  
   
   
       24 . The cellular telephone of  claim 14 , wherein the handle includes a top surface with a depression.  
   
   
       25 . The cellular telephone of  claim 14 , the cellular telephone housing further including a display screen indicating the direction in which the shaft is moved.  
   
   
       26 . The cellular telephone of  claim 14 , further comprising a speaker disposed in the handle.  
   
   
       27 . A joystick, comprising: 
 a multi-directional input device;    a shaft extending from the multi-directional input device, the multi-directional input device adapted to read a direction to which the shaft is pushed;    a handle disposed about the shaft and including a knob; and    a loudspeaker disposed within the knob.    
   
   
       28 . The joystick of  claim 27 , wherein the handle is selectable between an extended position and a retracted position.  
   
   
       29 . The joystick of  claim 27 , further comprising a base fixedly disposed on the shaft, the handle being slidable on the base.  
   
   
       30 . The joystick of  claim 29 , wherein the handle is selectable between an extended position and a retracted position by rotating the handle relative to the base.  
   
   
       31 . The joystick of  claim 30 , wherein the handle includes sliding lips extending inward, the base includes locking struts extending outward, and the sliding lips overlap the locking struts.  
   
   
       32 . The joystick of  claim 31 , wherein the sliding lips are on top of the locking struts when the handle is in the up position.  
   
   
       33 . The joystick of  claim 31 , wherein the sliding lips are under the locking struts when the handle is in the down position.  
   
   
       34 . The joystick of  claim 31 , wherein the base includes passageways between the locking struts.  
   
   
       35 . The joystick of  claim 30 , wherein the base includes a circumferential slot and a spring disposed in the circumferential slot.  
   
   
       36 . The joystick of  claim 30 , wherein the handle further includes a skirt extending outward.  
   
   
       37 . The joystick of  claim 36 , wherein the skirt has a constant radius of curvature.  
   
   
       38 . The joystick of  claim 30 , wherein the handle includes a top surface with a depression.  
   
   
       39 . The joystick of  claim 30 , further comprising a spring biasing the handle up from the base.  
   
   
       40 . A cellular telephone, comprising: 
 a cellular telephone housing;    a base disposed with the housing;    a handle disposed above the base and including a knob, the handle being displaceable relative to the housing in an X direction and a Y direction and rotatable relative to the base;    a spring biasing the handle up from the base;    a loudspeaker disposed within the knob;    a display screen capable of indicating the X direction and the Y direction in which the handle is displaced; and    wherein the handle is selectable between a extended position and a retracted position relative to the base.